Son Of Ocovango Makes Successful Start For Mullins Team

There should be more to come from Champ Kiely (5g Ocovango - Cregg So, by Moscow Society), after the Willie Mullins-trained bay made a winning start for connections in Thursday’s bumper at Limerick.

The son of Ocovango ran a promising race before falling in a four-year-old maiden at Dromahaone in December and was subsequently sold privately from the Pat Doyle stable. Sent off favourite on his first start in the colours of Miss M.A. Masterson, he chased the leaders under Jody Townend and led approaching the three furlong marker. Pushed along when challenged, he was ridden inside the final furlong and kept on well to win by half a length, as the front pair drew 16 lengths clear of the field.

Townend gave a promising account after the race, saying, “He was in my hands the whole way but when I went for him it took him a while to quicken up and he's still a bit green. He was doing all the right things at home and please God he is another nice one.”

Bred by Ian Dullea, Champ Kiely hails from the first crop of Beeches Stud sire Ocovango, as do Grade 3 winner Langer Dan and the unbeaten Percy Warner.